illing my place in his home or heart. I never
dreamed it was possible! But ignorance is a poor safeguard, and at last
the time came when the shadow began to lift from off his life, to
deepen over mine. I do not know how to tell you more; the thought of
speaking of it almost strikes me dumb; but I must, I must! I am
compelled to do it! And it all came of a picture--a picture of youth
and beauty; and she--Esther--came to sit for it! You need not expect me
to tell you much of her, for some things are impossible; but she had
been as a schoolgirl a pet of mine. She was the daughter of a friend,
and she was pretty; she was rich; she was good and loving: what else
could any mortal ask for? These quiet hours in the studio were pleasant
to both of them, and one day Philip broke the silence of years and
spoke of me to her. She was glad to talk of me, for she had been fond
of me; and she told him of what I had said to her; she brought him a
little drawing I had made of Nellie for her. They spoke of me lovingly
and gently, but I stood off and wrung my hands in anguish. The most
cruel silence would have been better than these confidences which
brought them so close together.

"But what a wonderful picture he painted! How fair, how lovely she
looked upon the canvas, and how happy she was when the painting was
praised! She danced for joy when she first saw it in its frame; but
I--I who knew so well what a success it was--I did not rejoice! I did
not look at the picture, but instead I watched the soft and tender
smile with which Philip regarded her! Need I tell you more?" she said
in a husky voice, standing up and clenching her hands. "Must I repeat
the history of these days as though it was a story I was telling you!
Have I not suffered penance enough in witnessing a grief I could not
comfort, a resignation that I could not share, and a happiness that has
made me desperate; but must I also put it all into words? But there was
one trial spared me. I did not have to witness the growth of this new
love, for I rarely saw them together during the days of courtship. She
did not come often to the house after the picture was finished, and so
I escaped this much. Yet I knew when they saw each other, and he was no
laggard wooer. I never followed him or her, for I could not leave the
home where we had lived; but in thought I was never parted from him.
How often have I paced the floor in lonely agony, waiting for his
return from her house. I have